This track is recommended for students with an interest in environmental
applications. An undergraduate major in a field related to environmental
sciences with sufficient background in mathematics or statistics will be
adequate to pursue this track. Students completing the track will gain working
knowledge of statistical methodology and software packages used in
environmental applications. This track also will be attractive to part-time
students from the government and local industries, who are involved with
environmental applications.
The course requirements are:
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STAT 651: Basic Probability
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STAT 653: Basic Mathematical Statistics
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STAT 601: Applied Statistics I
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STAT 602: Applied Statistics II
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STAT 614: Environmental Statistics
Additionally, two advanced courses focusing on a specific topic in
environmental sciences and two additional graduate-level applied statistics
courses are required. In exceptional circumstances, (e.g., in the case of a
student who already has a strong background in mathematical statistics)
substitutions may be allowed with approval of the graduate program director.
Students can take advantage of such substitutions to strengthen their
background in other relevant areas.
Students choosing the comprehensive examination option must pass the written comprehensive examination based on STAT 651
and STAT 653.
STAT 699 in environmental statistics constitutes a project under the direction
of a faculty member in the department or under the joint direction of a
faculty member in the department and an expert in this area from outside the
department. The work should include substantial data analysis. The project
report should be submitted and approved prior to graduation. Approval may be
sought for combinations of courses consisting of STAT 614, Environmental
Statistics and two courses outside the department focusing on environmental
applications. Several such courses are offered by the Department of Geography
and Environmental Systems and the Toxicology program.
The thesis option requires the completion of 24 credit hours of approved courses with an average grade of B or better, including the core courses above. In addition, six credit hours of STAT 799, Master's Research must be completed. After establishing an area of concentration in environmental applications, the student should seek a thesis advisor. While the main advisor has to be a member of the graduate faculty in the department, projects may be completed under the joint supervision of a faculty in the department and an expert in this area from outside the department. The student should submit a thesis proposal to the graduate program director with an endorsement from the prospective thesis advisor. It is expected that the completed thesis will be a significant exposition of the approved topic or will concentrate on the development of better methods of solving practical problems. The final acceptance and earning of credit for the master's thesis require passing an oral def!
ense of master's thesis examination. This examination is conducted in accordance with the general Graduate School regulations.
If necessary, some students may be advised to take preparatory courses at the
undergraduate or graduate level. These preparatory courses may not count
toward the degree.
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